When Alfred Blue followed right tackle Derek Newton through a modest gap in the left side of the Saints’ defensive front on the Texans’ first play from scrimmage Sunday, the strangest of things happened. Blue kept going. …

Opening the second half of the season against one of the NFL’s three undefeated teams in Cincinnati on Monday night is actually a good thing, several Texans suggested. If there’s such a thing as a “statement” game, this one qualifies. …